Whirlwind

by James Clavell Book 6 in the The Asian Saga series.

First published 1986

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In February 1979, Struan’s helicopter crews are scattered across Iran as the monarchy collapses and revolutionary forces compete for control. With airports, roads and communications becoming unreliable, the company attempts to evacuate its personnel and aircraft before local alliances and official permissions disappear completely.

The pilots’ marriages and friendships make escape more complicated than a corporate withdrawal. Iranian families are divided by class, religion and political loyalty, while foreign intelligence interests and revolutionary committees convert private decisions into matters of survival.